Alcatraz Tickets & Tours - Visit San Francisco's Famous Prison Duration: Approximately 2 1/2 hours plus 1 hour Bay Cruise Cruise on San Francisco Bay to Alcatraz Island and the infamous and notorious former federal prison - home to the likes of Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelley, and Robert "The Birdman" Stroud. Tour the Island and the prison. Includes audio Cell Block Tour. And take a 1 hour cruise on San Francisco Bay from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Bridge. Please note that the ferry to Alcatraz and the cruise of the San Francisco Bay are on two separate vessels. These vessels depart from two different piers in San Francisco. From: $75.45 US Dollars Where is San Francisco, CA? / Where is San Francisco, CA Located in The World? / San Francisco Map - WorldAtlas.com San Francisco International Airport Description Known for Victorian architecture, Alcatraz, cable cars, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, steep hills and trademark fog, San Francisco sits on the shores of its namesake bay, bridged by its most famous landmark - the Golden Gate Bridge.

The city of San Francisco was built on 43 hills, and that's reflected in its incredibly steep and curving streets; Filbert is steepest at 31.5 degrees, but Lombard is the most popular with its seductive, winding curves. The San Francisco Bay Area has a history of cultural diversity and tolerance. The first San Francisco residents included a diverse population of Ohlone Indians, New Zealanders, Spanish Californians, Americans, Chinese, Hawaiians, South Americans and Europeans, and that diversity is the city's charm. Did you know? San Francisco experienced rapid growth as a result of the the Gold Rush when the precious metal was found at Sutter's Mill in 1848. By 1852, the number of residents had swelled to 35,000. San Francisco is the birthplace of the Chinese Fortune Cookie, invented at the Golden Gate Park Tea Garden by the Japanese Hagiwara family. San Francisco is built on 43 hills with incredibly steep and curving streets. Filbert is steepest at 31.5 degrees, but Lombard is the most popular with its seductive, winding curves.

Photos The San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge The Golden Gate Bridge was the longest in the world from its beginnings in 1937 until 1964 when the Verrazano opened in New York City. With its graceful structure and patented 'International Orange' paint, the Golden Gate remains one of the most admired and photographed structures in the world. Alcatraz Prison This was first a military and then a notorious federal prison for many years. Situated in San Francisco Bay, the island is now managed by the U.S. National Park Service and is home to the Alcatraz Museum and the first lighthouse in California . 'The Rock' has been the not so happy home of Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, and the famous Birdman of Alcatraz. 1000+ images about Alcatraz on Pinterest | Old fort, Al capone and Islands Forward Alcatraz, aka "The Rock", was first established as a military fort in the 1850s by the US Army. During the Civil War, it became a military prison and in 1934, a federal maximum security prison for high-risk civilian prisoners.

Because of the chilly San Francisco Bay waters that surround the island, prisoners thought twice about trying to escape. Out of 36 inmates attempting to escape, none succeeded. In 1963, due to the inability to restore & maintain it, the prison was closed. See More San Francisco Travel - SF travel guide Yosemite National Park San Francisco, California San Francisco is on the coast of California about 400 miles north of Los Angeles . It is situated along the shore of a large bay sheltered behind the California Coastal Mountains. The city is renown for its steep streets with panoramic views of beautiful San Francisco Bay and the surrounding mountains. It has a very moderate climate with warm summers and chilly winters but without extremes. Constant breezes off of the Pacific Ocean keep the summers from becoming too hot and also prevent freezing winter weather. Take a sweater, as the evening breezes can be quite brisk all year round! © Corel It is easier to take a bus or taxi to the downtown area where you can quickly board a passing cable car. San Francisco was built by "forty niners" with gold fever Oakland and Berkeley, California lie just across the bay from San Francisco and are easily accessible via the Bay Bridge.

The more famous Golden Gate Bridge spans the narrow inlet that extends from the Pacific Ocean into the bay. The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco with a mountainous peninsula called the Marin headlands that is primarily known for beautiful scenery and expensive homes with spectacular views. Sausalito, a small village on the bay shore of the Marin headlands is famous as a local artist's community. Alcatraz Island with its abandoned prison is situated in the middle of San Francisco Bay. The city of San Jose lies about 30 miles south of San Francisco at the southern tip of this extensive bay. The area near San Jose and Santa Clara is known as "Silicon Valley", home of the largest concentration of electronics and computer firms in the USA. San Francisco was founded in 1776 when father Junipero Serra constructed the mission San Dolores to Christianize the local native Indian population. At the same time, Spanish troops constructed a Presidio, or fort, to protect this colony for the Queen of Spain. By the middle of the nineteenth century, the village of Yerba Buena, consisting of whalers, traders, adventurers and pirates, occupied the present site of San Francisco.

In 1848, gold was discovered in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains about 100 miles to the east. By 1849, San Francisco was inundated with "forty-niners" as the gold seekers were commonly called, and the population of the city exploded. Ever since, it has remained the center of commerce, entertainment, culture and tourism for Northern California. Cable cars on steep streets overlook a turquoise San Francisco Bay San Francisco is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the USA. Steep streets lined with Victorian era houses, a great turquoise bay surrounded by low mountains, and antique cable cars that still shuttle passengers up and down the city slopes all make San Francisco one of the most picturesque cities in the US. Mike's San Francisco Tip: To best see the famous San Francisco cable cars, go to the terminus a few blocks from Fisherman's Wharf where you can watch them manually turn the cars. To best photograph them, walk a few blocks up the hill and wait for a cable car, so you can photograph it with a backdrop of San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz.

To ride one, it is best to go to the other end of the line in downtown where the crowds are smaller and the wait is shorter. The city has developed a unique character from its mixture of diverse cultures including Native American Indians, Spanish colonials, gold seeking adventurers and numerous European, African and Asian immigrants. This is reflected in the great San Francisco cuisine found in the many fabulous restaurants of the city. Among the many attractions of San Francisco are the ethnic neighborhoods like Chinatown and Japantown with their traditional shops and restaurants. Each of these communities houses a large population of Asian immigrants and has a unique oriental character. North Beach is renown as an Italian neighborhood, the Mission District as a Hispanic community and Castro Street for its gay and lesbian population. Accommodations Here are some recommended hotels in the Financial District , Fisherman's Wharf and near the airport . Excursion boats from Fisherman's Wharf visit Alcatraz The Embarcadero, a broad avenue along the bayfront, is now lined with shops, restaurants and tourist attractions including several piers that have been converted to specialty shopping malls.

Most famous is the historic Fisherman's Wharf which still hosts a fleet of working fishing vessels as well as fish markets, seafood restaurants and gift shops. Excursion boats and ferries depart from piers near Fisherman's Wharf. They are a great way to see the sights around the bay. The Alcatraz tour takes you to "The Rock" and allows you to visit its abandoned prison. This trip usually fills up, so it is best to make your reservations at least one day ahead. You can also take a ferry to visit the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier Museum in Oakland, or you can ride a ferry to Sausalito and Tiburon for some sightseeing and shopping. © Corel The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco with a mountainous peninsula called the Marin headlands that is primarily known for beautiful scenery and expensive homes with spectacular views. A cable car line terminates a few blocks from Fisherman's Wharf, and many tourists congregate there to watch the motormen manually rotate the cars. This is a good place to photograph the cable cars but not a good place to board one as the wait can be long. It is easier to take a bus or taxi to the downtown area where you can quickly board a passing cable car.

Golden Gate Park and Seal Rocks, along the Pacific side of the city are worth visiting. Wine Country, Big Sur and Yosemite are not far away Other California tourist attractions are located near San Francisco. Across the Golden Gate Bridge, the first pullout on the right provides a nice view of the city from across the bay. If you follow the small road under the highway and climb the mountain behind the bridge, you will be rewarded to some spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay area. From the top of the mountain the road continues high above the Pacific Ocean with pullouts at many scenic vistas and hiking trails. This road eventually leads to Stinson Beach, a popular Pacific Ocean swimming and surfing area, and to Muir Woods, an impressive reserve of Giant California Redwood trees. Beautiful Monterey Bay is an hour-and-half drive south along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway and Big Sur extends about 100 miles further. Napa and Sonoma valleys, in the heart of California Wine Country , are just an hour drive north of San Francisco. The Sierra Nevada Mountains and exquisite Yosemite National Park are within a half-day drive to the east. San Francisco Shopping Tips The downtown area of San Francisco is the center of business, commerce and shopping.

There are a wide variety of large department stores and smaller shops near Union Square and a big shopping mall on Market Street. The Embarcadero especially in the Fisherman's Wharf area offers many small shops, specialty stores and tourist attractions. Chinatown and Japantown have many small shops specializing in oriental artifacts and Asian foods. Sausalito and Tiburon across the bay have many boutiques, art galleries and specialty shops. For serious shoppers, the immense "Great Mall of the Bay Area" in Milpitas, near San Jose is a wonderland of factory outlet stores. There are also a few outlet malls in Sonoma Valley near wine country and several in the Monterey Bay area. Written by: Mike Leco Top Photo Credit: © J. Paul Meurant Photo Description: Golden Gate Bridge Have a question? Post it on the USATourist Facebook Page . More Information San Francisco Haunted Venue, Alcatraz Prison Museum, HauntedHouses.com Return to top LOCATION: Alcatraz Prison Museum National Park is located on Alcatraz Island that can be found in the middle San Francisco Bay; right next to Angel Island.

Return to top DESCRIPTION: Alcatraz Prison Museum National Park's main attraction is the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary Museum, also known as "The Rock". It once was an American Federal Prison, built of reinforced concrete, and designed to be a maximum security facility, with minimal privileges; a "place of penitence", modeled after the old Quaker concept used in early American prisons. This philosophy had in the past created awful consequences for the inmates: insanity and death. However, the need to control these rather scary prisoners was great, so this philosophy was resurrected. It was a stark place of incarceration for 300 high-risk security civilian prisoners at one time who were deemed to be the worst risk for violence, trouble and escape who were found in the United States Federal Penitentiary inmate population. In the beginning years of the prison, no talking among inmates was allowed except for three minutes during morning and afternoon recreation periods and for two hours on the weekends. Al Capone had a hard time with this regulation. Breaking this rule sent the offender to one of the discipline cells in Alcatraz, depending on how severe the violation was.

Alcatraz was like a small city, and had all the services needed for living, besides cells for all kinds of inmates. There was a hospital, mental ward, dining hall, work factory, laundry, kitchen, library, showers, visiting room, outside recreation area, etc. The inmates were watched and supervised very closely under strict rules. There was one guard to three inmate ratio, which means the guards knew their charges well. One man in one cell was the sleeping arrangement. The daily routine was unchanging and every minute was accounted for during the day. "Federal inmates are required to work, unless they are medically unable to, or are violent or disruptive. At Alcatraz, work included factory work, laundry, general prison maintenance, and food preparation." Though these 300 inmates were more closely supervised and controlled than inmates at any other federal prison, the facility did begin gradually to offer through the years an array of work, education, reading materials and recreation programs like baseball for those who just did their time, followed the rules and were no trouble. Their library had over 115,000 books and many magazines. Cells were wired with earphones so inmates could listen to warden-approved stations during the 1940s'.

Others were allowed to play instruments and play in a band together. Al Capone learned the banjo and George "Machine Gun" Kelly also learned an instrument, and they played together in a little band. Cells located on the first floor along the major corridor that led to the various parts of the prison was called "Broadway", because of the foot traffic and the lack of privacy; usually housing new prisoners for their first year. They could be studied and watched closely to see if they had any issues that would prevent them from working well or being with other inmates. Efforts to provide good food and good medical care were considered to be rights not privileges for the inmates who basically behaved. Cell blocks A, B, C, and Broadway housed prisoners who could go along with the program. Clothing, a private 4 x 8 cell with a single bed, a toilet, a sink and a desk, being able to take a shower once a week were also rights. With all the tight controls, trouble was basically at a minimum. Cell Block D was reserved for the most dangerous and hard to handle prisoners, who were locked up for 23 out of 24 hours. Cell Block D was also the home to all the disciplinary cells of punishment.

There were some men incarcerated here on Cell Block D with mental illness, bad attitudes, violent tendencies and issues with self-control that got them in conflict with the strict regimentation. The mentally ill prisoners who couldn't adjust to regular prison routine and were a danger to themselves and others, and had more trouble on Cell Block D, were often moved to cells in the hospital mental ward when there was a vacancy. The right to clothing and regular full meals were taken away if the prisoner committed a minor violation; winding up in a pitch-black, cold disciplinary Cell Block D "Strip Cell"; kept in isolation for a one to two day stay; sleeping on a straw mattress that was taken away during the day, and eating just bread and water. A more severe punishment was given for major violations. Such a violator experienced a stay in one of the four Cell Block D "Hole Cells" for periods of up to 19 days, with just a low wattage bulb hanging from the ceiling and a toilet. Again being naked, a stay here for the offender often included a beat-down by the guards for those guilty of a major offense. The screams of the prisoners being beaten by the guards were heard by the other prisoners on D and C block.

They made noises, like banging on their bars so other prisoners would know what was happening. In "The Hole", the food pattern was this; During the first two days of their stay the inmate offenders received just 2 cups of water and a minimal amount of bread each day. The third day they received full meals. This pattern lasted until they were put back into their regular cell. However, this experience could push inmates with boarder line mental illness over the edge of sanity. They came out of these cells senseless, insane. Inmates who had long stays in these cells often suffered from pneumonia and/or arthritis; thus also winding up in the prison hospital. The worse place of punishment that was rarely occupied was in the "Dungeon Cells" that used to be the old army disciplinary barracks, located underneath the prison. It was said that naked prisoners were chained to the wall for 12 hours, and given only a blanket to sleep on. In 1942, the Supreme Court ruled that the Dungeon Cells were cruel and unusual punishment and were discontinued. The average stay here for an inmate was three to five years. Some spent more time, like bank robber Alan Karpis who did 27 years hard time.

He was paroled in 1969, and became an author at the age of 62. Robert Stroud, a brilliant man with serious issues who had suffered terrible abuse as a child, spent 17 of his 54 years in prison at Alcatraz. Though well respected in the bird community for his research and medicinal discoveries for curing canary disease at Leavenworth Prison, he was denied having birds at Alcatraz, so he wrote some impressive books, putting his 134 IQ to good use. He spent seven years on D Cell Block, and ten years in the Alcatraz hospital ward. He was transferred there because he liked to grab people through his bars. He was classified as an "aggressive" homosexual and would attack others if left alone with them. Robert was eventually transferred to a mental health prison ward state-side where he died of natural causes in his late seventies. However, despite the minimum occurrences of discord, both guards and inmates were killed at the hands of other inmates, or killed by authorities during escape attempts; though not at the levels of other places of incarceration. There were also 5 suicides. Tourists have long been fascinated with Alcatraz.

Even when the prison was operational, tour boats would go around the island so people could see the outside of the prison. Now that it is a museum, people still are fascinated with it, and the tour tickets have to be bought in advance of their scheduled visit. Besides being able to take tours of the old prison buildings, there are some fascinating exhibits in the museum that feature the extensive collections from Alcatraz Island, including "objects made by notorious inmates, historic photographs and documents, escape materials and inmate artwork; items used by officers including correctional materials when Alcatraz was a federal penitentiary from 1934-1963; military prison period materials from 1859-1934; and the American Indian occupation of 1969 -1971." Among the exhibits, there are multi-media presentations that give the visitor a virtual tour of the prison, slide shows, sound clips, and close-ups of infamous prisoners such as Al Capone and Robert Stroud, the "Birdman of Alcatraz", both who wound up in the hospital mental ward. Also found on the island are lots of birds, tide pools, and glorious views of the San Francisco shoreline.

You can plan a trip to the Alcatraz Prison Museum and see other points of interest that can be found on this infamous island by going on line and buying tickets in advance. Reservations are a must, as tours sell out several weeks in advance, especially during the summer months. You can also call 415-981-ROCK (7625) or e-mail them . Return to top HISTORY: Alcatraz Island started off being a place for the local OHIONE Indians to harvest bird eggs, and abalones in the tide pools; as well as being a safe haven from rough storms for many years. This island was at one time a place of spirituality and healing for them. It became necessary at some point for the Indian people to banish their bad ones to this island. These criminals probably were buried here as well. The positive feelings of the place left and were replaced with a sense of evil and negativity.

Death seldom leaves nasty people with any new endearing values; they are as they were while alive with the same personality, negativity, hatred and weaknesses (Ham House) In 1775, the Spanish explorers landed here and called it "La Isla de los Alcatraces", which means "Island of Pelicans." Heeding the Indians' warning that the island was evil, they didn't build anything there; neither did the Mexican government. In 1847, the United States Military, who didn't listen to the warning, took over this island from the Mexican government, during the Mexican American War. In 1853, the foundations for a military fort were begun. In 1854, the United States government built a lighthouse to guide ships away from the rocks and safely through the Golden Gate. In 1859, the Federal Government established an U.S. Army fort to guard San Francisco, perhaps seeing the writing on the wall of the upcoming Civil War, as well as to protect the gold from the California Gold Rush that was shipped by boat out of San Francisco Bay. As the water is very cold and the currents are very strong, the U.S.

Army realized what the Indians had realized; that the island would be a great place for isolated punishment: establishing a disciplinary barracks. Within the fort, buildings were used to hold Confederate sympathizers, army deserters and soldiers who were deemed to be insubordinate. Many were kept at first in dire conditions; in the dark, damp, crowded basement of the guard house. Disease killed many. In 1868, a stationary, austere military prison was firmly established. More buildings and cell houses were added, and prisoners no longer had to stay in the basement of the guard house. During the 1870s' and 1880s', uncooperative Indian Chiefs and tribal leaders were imprisoned here among the hardened group of military inmates with no redeeming values. In 1895, 19 members of the Hopi Tribe were imprisoned by the U.S. Army on Alcatraz Island for resisting policies to "Americanize" their children. In 1898, Spanish P.O.Ws from the Philippines were held here until the end of the Spanish American War.

Around 1900, Alcatraz Island also became a health resort for soldiers returning from the Spanish American War fronts in Cuba and the Philippines with tropical diseases. To make room for the ill, inmates were given pardons to ease the overcrowding. In 1904, since the buildings were beginning to fall apart, prison crews began to build new ones and updating the existing facility. By 1909, the U.S. Army had tore down all of the old fort buildings. The Army had an established base in San Francisco, and a fort was no longer needed on Alcatraz. In its place, the U.S. Army had completed a real, reinforced concrete prison for soldiers convicted in the U.S. Army Court of Law. It was called The United States Disciplinary Barracks, and was a minimum security prison, through strict. On the old parade grounds, apartments for the guards and their families were built. The lighthouse keeper's mansion became the home of the commander in charge of the prison.

In 1934, it became too expensive to keep The United States Disciplinary Barracks open, so this property was turned over to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, who needed a secure place to keep the roughest, most dangerous men, the gifted escape-artists and the most hard to handle incarcerated guests of the Federal Government. The former United States Disciplinary Barracks underwent some much needed renovations and improvements that turned this structure into a high security, maximum penitentiary, for 300 of the worst inmates in the federal system that fell into the categories mentioned above. Inmate residents included such men as Robert Stroud; "The Bird Man of Alcatraz", a brilliant but homicidal sociopath who had a Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hide personality. At Leavenworth Prison where he was first sentenced, Robert was allowed to have birds in his cell. He found three baby canaries, raised them, and started a breeding program. He had so many birds that they took up two cells. He did research, and came up with some cures for canary diseases, and wrote books on the subject. Despite his mental, criminal and behavioral issues, Robert made huge contributions to the bird world.

When he killed a man in a psychotic rage, Robert was sent to Alcatraz where he wasn't allowed to have birds; though the film about him that starred Burt Lancaster had the character having birds in his Alcatraz cell. Incarceration here was also given to the notorious criminals, gangsters and their mob soldiers during a time of violent crime that happened during the 1920s and the 1930s. The Federal Government wanted to show the American people that they were serious about hard time for notorious criminals that had hurt so many innocent people. Besides ruthless, brutal Chicago kingpin Al Capone, there was kidnapper George "Machine Gun" Kelly, Doc Barker; the last member of the Ma Barker gang, bank robber Floyd Hamilton; a cohort of and driver for Bonnie and Clyde, bank robber Alan Karpis (who taught Charles Manson how to play the guitar), train robber Roy Gardner, the godfather of Harlem, "Bumpy" Johnson, and Morton Sobell, who was convicted of espionage in the Rosenburg Treason Court Case. Ruthless killers that didn't get the chair, including mob soldiers were also among this prison population.

Needless to say, they were scary people that you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley, who were sent here to serve their time. From Alcatraz's opening in 1934, to 1963, when Alcatraz closed, 1500 men had spent time here over these years. Fifteen died of natural causes, five killed themselves, others were violently killed by other inmates, and some were shot by guards when they tried to escape. Eight guards were killed by inmates as well in violent ways. Return to top HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS There has been a very long history of paranormal activity, starting when the banished Indian criminals had died and were buried on this island. Negativity and oppressive evil began, and just grew over the years. Because of the deaths of Civil War prisoners, sick Army soldiers, Army prisoners and the prisoners and guards at Alcatraz, many spirits seem to be stuck here or just don't want to leave just yet. Even spirits that didn't die there but served time or worked here are back in their old cells or stomping grounds.

When graves are disturbed, built upon or moved, the spirits of the people who were buried are not happy and are confused or even angry about it. ( Cincinnati Music Hall * Easton Library * Topeka High School * El Campo Santo Cemetery ) The graves of Indians, and people who died during the Civil War days have been moved or built upon in order to build the The United States Disciplinary Barracks and probably the Alcatraz Prison and buildings as well. People who suffer from a broken spirit, or a broken mind, sometimes have a hard time letting go of this world. ( Bowers Harbor Inn * Waverly Hills Sanitarium * Kalamazoo Sanitarium * Squire's Castle * Franklin Castle ) Difficult inmates wound up in the cells of harsh punishment;(Strip Cells and The Holes and The Dungeon Cells) which added stress to their own mental issues. Some men were broken and became insane; choosing to come back to Alcatraz when they enter the spirit world. Al Capone slowly became insane because of syphilis, and not being able to manipulate the people of authority around him.

Robert Stroud, despite his brilliant mind, had anger and mental issues, was an aggressive homosexual and considered to be a homicidal sociopath and a psychopath. Harry Brunette was an unstable character as well. Prisons and Penitentiaries have since the beginning of humankind been a place where people have died from natural causes, abuse, accidents, suicide and at the hands of another. Guards and inmates of jails and prisons that die before their time while there, sometimes continue on either in their job or in their confinement. ( West Virginia Penitentiary * Fort Delaware * Ohio State Reformatory * Wyoming Frontier Prison ) Despite the very controlled environment and all the best efforts of the authorities of Alcatraz to control the violent ones, keep everyone occupied in work and areas for positive use of their time;reading, music, and providing the best meals that they could etc. there were guards and prisoners who died in acts of violence. Inmates were killed by others: A mob soldier call "the Butcher" was killed in the laundry room during a work session; perhaps as a revenge killing for his former violent behavior, acting as a hit man. Perhaps he inadvertently enraged his killer, who perhaps had anger issues.

An inmate that was placed in one of the Hole Cells was strangled to death by either a guard or an evil entity with red eyes. In the barber shop, an inmate was getting a haircut from another inmate barber, who happened to be his lover. The barber killed the inmate with the scissors. Some of the escape attempts at Alcatraz Prison took lives: Both guards and escapees There were 14 separate escape attempts involving 36 inmates. Of those, 23 were recaptured, 7 shot and killed as they fled, and at least 3 drowned. Five inmates involved two separate escape attempts, two men in 1937, and three men in 1962, remain unaccounted-for. New evidence raises the possibility that the three men in 1962's escape made it to shore and went to Brazil. In 1938, three inmates killed Officer Roy Cline with a hammer in the factory. One escapee was shot dead and the other two were caught before they could escape. In 1946, during a bloody blast out attempt at the prison, both guards and prisoners died. It started when 6 inmates overpowered an officer and stole his keys.

While they could get into the gun alley, none of the keys would let them out the doors leading to the outside. This began a two day gun battle between six inmates; trying to fight their way out, and prison guards. United States Marines were called in to help the guards defeat them. Some inmates still in their cells along the main Broadway section were inadvertently killed: collateral damage. Two of the escapee combatants' hostages, Officers Harold Stites and William Miller, were shot to death in a cell by one of the escaped inmates. Three inmates were killed during the siege. The three recaptured inmates were tried for murder. Two were executed and one sentenced to 99 years in prison. In the other attempted escapes: Escapees were shot by guards, or drowned in the cold water surrounding Alcatraz if they made it to the water with their rafts. One escapee was quite an athlete and swam all the way to shore, where he fell asleep; exhausted. Police found him sleeping and he was re-arrested. Why would these men as spirits want to stick around such a harsh place?

People who suffer violent deaths sometimes can't let go of this experience, wanting justice, or try to prevent their death but can't; just relive it, or just want to stay in this world and continue in their old life, even as an inmate as best they can. ( Albany State Capitol * Lizzie Borden bed and Breakfast * West Virginia Penitentiary * Ohio State Reformatory * Fort Pulaski ) Entities of soldiers or prisoners who had died at the old army prison or fort have long made their presences known. Inmates who died in the disciplinary cells under the harsh conditions, or violently at the hands of others still are at Alcatraz. Officers, people in charge and leaders who die on the job want to continue in their work; not let the fact that they were killed or died get in the way. ( The USS Lexington * The Squirrel Cage * United States Air Force Museum * Ohio State Reformatory ) Guards are still on the job; probably those killed during the escape attempts. Sometimes people who die as a result of what they did while alive are afraid to cross over and be punished again for what they did in this world.

Or, they can't forgive themselves and deeply regret what they did and may be mad at themselves. ( Saint Augustine Jail - inmate * Brumder Mansion - Mike * Fort Worden Guard House * Whitley Jail * Strawberry Hill Mansion - redhead * Thayer Home at West Point - Civil War soldier ) Entity in the basement dungeon - communicated his guilt of what he had done to a paranormal investigator,as the reason why he was still there. Entity of Butcher - Told Sylvia that he didn't believe her when she told him that he could receive love and forgiveness on the other side. MANIFESTATIONS: The joint is jumping with restless spirits, making Alcatraz a most popular place to investigate. The living can experience the full paranormal package in all the various places and buildings of Alcatraz Prison. When the prison was open, guards and inmates saw and heard paranormal entities from the former fort and army prisons, and perhaps a cranky negative Indian spirit as well, wanting to do damage. The warden, Mr. Johnson, heard a woman crying hysterically; perhaps the wife of a guard who was killed here. All the cell blocks and areas of the prison are haunted by former prisoners.

Visitors and rangers have experienced cold spots, shadow figures, clear apparitions and experienced cell doors that slam shut all by themselves; probably by phantom guards still on duty. Shadows are seen walking on the catwalk in the service area behind the cells. Some escapees reached the outside by digging holes to this area and climbing out to the top of the building. Some were shot. Perhaps, they re-stage their escape, trying to see where they went wrong. In the hospital ward, the apparition of Robert Stroud have been seen in his cell there. He enjoys walking through the wall, perhaps on his way to the library to work on his books. Al Capone was going slowly mad due to venereal disease and his experiences at Alcatraz. Toward the end of his 4 1/2 year stay here, they let him stay in the shower room and play his banjo during recreation time because he feared for his life. People have heard him playing his banjo in the shower. He happily volunteered to be an informative tour guide for medium Amy of The Dead Files, calling himself Stan.

When she asked him why he was here, he replied, "This is my hell." The living hear moans, agonized cries, screaming and chains rattling in cell blocks A, B, and especially C. Perhaps the reliving the experiences of becoming collateral damage during the prison breakout battle is the source some of the disturbances. Perhaps some of the screams are coming from the punishment cells on Cell Block D, during the beat-downs of prisoners. Prisoners in C Block used to rattle their chains and yell when someone was being beaten up by guards. People have been touched, grabbed by the back of the neck. Park service called in medium Sylvia Brown because the disturbances in Cell Block C were so active and intense. Entity of Able Maldonowitz, a disturbed, violent soul who earned his nick name; Butcher, because he was a cold-hearted hitman for the mob. Butcher was killed by another inmate in the laundry area of Cell Block C. He isn't happy about that and lets people know his feelings, and was one of the causes of all the activity experienced there. D Cell block - People feel cold spots in cells, and uneasy feelings due to the boatload of negative energy.

People have been touched, grabbed by the back of the neck, with entities whispering disturbing things in their ears. Cells 11, 12, 13 and 14 D were the Hole Cells, and all are haunted by disturbed souls. 14 D was the home of proven, crazed killer Rufe McCain, who was so volatile that he stayed there for three years straight. The negative energy is so thick in this cell, that people have really been affected by it. It may have drawn in the red-eyed evil Indian spirit that has been a tormentor and possible killer of men who had to stay there, and has been experienced by paranormal investigators as well. An inmate was found strangled in D Cell 14. He had yelled to the guard to get him out because of the red eyed entity in the cell with him. Dungeon Area The Entity of Harry Burnette has been caught on EVPs by investigators. He told them his name. Perhaps he followed them down. An unsavory male spirit took a liking to a female Ghost Lab investigator and followed her around the prison. "I want you!" Perhaps he was a former army prisoner, not known for his sexual or impulse restraint.

A repentant, guilt-ridden entity fretted in an EVP. The female investigator asked, "Why are you still here? " This entity told the investigator that he couldn't forgive himself for what he had done in this world. Return to top Paranormal Findings Besides tourists, paranormal investigators and psychic mediums are drawn to Alcatraz because of all the paranormal activity, and have captured a boatload of EVPs and other hard evidence. Probably, the spirits want to make up for all the times they couldn't talk, and they can express their feelings, tell their stories, and get some chuckles at the expense of the living. Some enjoy scaring the living, talk menacingly but never following through with the action. The evil red-eyed creature hasn't been given much opportunity to do harm to people. Most of the popular paranormal television shows have investigated Alcatraz, and caught hard evidence that backs up the personal experiences reported as well as gathering new evidence: Ghost Hunters * Ghost Adventures * Ghost Lab * The Dead Files Psychic Research Many psychic mediums have visited the spirits here and talked to them; perhaps offering them counseling and comfort.

The park system authorities decided to bring in a medium, Sylvia Brown, along with an ex-convict of Alcatraz; Leon, and a CBS news team to record the findings. The laundry room gave off impressions of violence to Sylvia and she encountered an unseen presence in there, and described him as being tall in height, having a bald head and little eyes. Leon identified the unseen presence by this description alone as being a prisoner, known as "Butcher," who had been a hit man for organized crime, and had been murdered in the laundry room. Sylvia decided to try to free Butcher so he could go to the other side. During a seance in the prison dining room, it was communicated to Butcher, through Sylvia's Spirit Guide, Francine, that there were others on the other side that would be able to help him, and that he should follow Francine to the other side. Butcher flatly refused to believe that anyone would help him and chose to stay in the prison, still incarcerated though being long dead. Some day, Sylvia hopes to come back and try again to set Butcher free through another seance. Return to top Still Haunted?

The spirits of Indian criminals, Civil War prisoners, army prisoners, sick soldiers, some of those Alcatraz inmates who did time and guards who worked at Alcatraz; especially those who died there, all keep the living company. They stay there for a variety of reasons, while getting their chuckles providing the full paranormal package for those people who come to see them and discover how and where they lived. San Francisco | Location, History, Climate, Tourist Attractions San Francisco - History, Climate, Tourist Attractions San Francisco is one of California's major cities and maybe one of the most beautiful in the world. It lies midway up the Pacific coast. Today, about 800,000 people live here. San Francisco lies on over 40 small hills situated around San Francisco Bay. People live in different neighbourhoods depending on their income or where they come from. Rich people live places with old Victorian houses that overlook the bay. Families of immigrants, like Russians, Germans or Japanese live in their own communities. San Francisco has a mild climate. Even during September, normally the hottest month, temperatures seldom rise above 22° C. In winter they hardly drop below freezing point.

Mornings are often foggy, but in the afternoon it clears up most of the time. The city was founded in 1776 when the Spanish set up a Franciscan mission there. Later on the city was named after Francis of Assisi. When gold was found in California during the late 1840s thousands of gold miners settled there and San Francisco turned into a bustling town. Oakland Bay Map - Alexander Karnstedt ( Alexrk ) On April 18, 1906 a great earthquake destroyed most of the city. A fire broke out because most houses were made of wood. It took the fire department three days to get it under control, 2000 people were killed. Rebuilding began quickly and ten years later the city celebrated its rebirth during an international exhibition. During World War II San Francisco became a major shipbuilding centre. The port handled many passengers and a lot of cargo. As time went on, shipbuilding moved to other places along the Californian coast. In 1989 another massive earthquake hit the city. Although many small buildings were destroyed the modern steel and concrete skyscrapers could withstand the quake. Today San Francisco is a major banking , finance and trade centre.

It produces clothes, electronic goods and food products that the farmers of nearby regions grow. The Transamerica Pyramid - Daniel Schwen Places to See San Francisco has a very exciting skyline with old buildings on one side and modern skyscrapers on the other. Along the city’s waterfront lies Fisherman’s Wharf, a tourist attraction and a reminder of San Francisco’s past. It is known for its nice restaurants that offer good seafood. Not far away are the Maritime Museum and a historical park. Chinatown is the largest Chinese community in the United States. Many people who live here today are descendants of Chinese immigrants. They came to the Pacific coast during the gold rush to find work here. The cable car is San Francisco’s most famous symbol. It was designed to go up and down the city’s steep hills. By 1890 there was a network of over 150 km. All of the cable cars were connected to overhead power lines. Today there are only three lines left with a total of 20 km. They stay in operation mainly as a tourist attraction. The Transamerica Pyramid is San Francisco’s most impressive building. The white office structure is 260 metres tall and looks like a thin pyramid.

Alcatraz Island , also called The Rock , lies in San Francisco Bay about 1.5 km from the coast. It was a prison which confined some of the most dangerous criminals of America. Even though it was called the safest prison in the world, a few inmates did escape from the island. The prison was closed in 1963 and today tourists can take a guided tour of the island. Golden Gate Bridge is one of the largest bridges in the world. It spans the entrance to San Francisco Bay over a total of 2,700 metres. Towers stand on both sides of the bridge and a six lane road leads from northern California to the centre of San Francisco. bustling = very busy and full of life cargo = the goods that are carried on a ship or a plane celebrate =to have fun and enjoy yourself clear up = the clouds go away and it becomes sunny community = neighbourhood destroy =to damage something completely so that you cannot use it any more drop = go down electronic goods =products like TV sets, radios, DVD players etc...

fire department = the organisation that works to stop fires in a city or a town exhibition =show, demonstration found –founded = to make new freezing point = the temperature at which water turns to ice hardly = not very often immigrant = a person who comes from another country and wants to live or work here income = the money that you get from your work lie =to be located midway = half of the way mission = a place where people are taught about Christianity port = harbour situated = to be in a certain place rebirth =to be born again rebuilding = build again settle = to start living in a place where no one has lived before set up = here :start Victorian = from the time when Victoria was the queen of England (1837—1901) trade = to buy and sell goods withstand = if something is strong enough so that it can’t be destroyed attraction = something that is very famous and which a lot of people come to see confine = to keep somebody in a place where he cannot leave or escape connected =linked descendant = someone who is a related to people or a family who lived a long time ago designed = made entrance = the way into something escape = to get away from a place gold rush = when people hurry to a place

 where gold has just been found guided tour = if someone shows you around a place and tells you a lot about it immigrant = a person who comes from another country and wants to live or work here impressive = something you like because it is good, big or important lane =path, way maritime = everything that is connected to the sea or ships network = a system of lines that cross each other offer = give overhead power lines = a wire above the ground that has electricity in it prison = a place where you keep criminals reminder = something that makes you remember or think about something seafood = animals form the sea that you can eat skyline = the outline of buildings against the sky span = to go from one side to the other steep =opposite of flat waterfront = the part of a town that is next to a river or a sea Topics Alcatraz, San Francisco San Francisco - nps.gov Located in the middle of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island is best known as the site of the infamous penitentiary where some of the country's most notorious criminals were imprisoned.

The first European to discover the small island was Spanish naval officer Juan Manuel de Ayala, who in 1775 named the island 'Isla de los Alcatraces' (Island of Gannets) for the many seabirds on the rocky island Alcatraz Island (he probably saw cormorants instead of gannets, a sort of pelican). Another common name for Alcatraz is 'The Rock' as the 22 acre (9 ha) large island isn't much more than a large rock. Initially there wasn't even any soil, it was all transported to the island in the early twentieth century so that prison wardens could create a garden. History of Alcatraz Island Since the island was strategically located the army built a fort here in the 1850s to defend the bay. During that time the West Coast's oldest lighthouse was also built here in 1854. It was replaced in 1909 by the tower that still stands today. In 1907 the fort was converted into a military prison which quickly gained a reputation for being harsh.

By the 1920s and 30s, during the days of gangsters and prohibition, federal agencies decided that Al Capone Mugshot Alcatraz Island would be the perfect location for high-profile criminals such as Al Capone to be held once captured. So the site was handed over to the federal government in 1933 and became a federal penitentiary the following year. It kept that function until 1963 when the prison became too costly to maintain. After its post-prison years, the island was the site of an American Indian occupation and protest movement from 1969-1971. Members of many different tribes took up residence on the island for eighteen months, claiming the land should have been returned to the Native Americans. They left the island in 1971, but many buildings were damaged. Visitors to the island can still find some remnants of those years while exploring the islands. The Prison The prison became famous for its notable inmates like Al Capone, Bill "Machine Gun" Kelly, Alvin "Creepy" Karpis - a partner of the notorious Ma Barker - and "Birdman" Robert Stroud.

To keep all these high profile prisoners under control they had to stay in their cell for 16 to 23 hours per day and were not allowed to talk to each other. Prisoners causing trouble could lose privileges such as Prison cells reading books or receiving visitors. The worst were put in isolation cells, where they had no privileges and could only leave the cell for ten minutes each week to take a shower. Alcatraz was well-known as the prison from which no one could escape and, despite many attempts, no one successfully fled Alcatraz during its twenty-nine years in operation. To keep prisoners from escaping the island was protected by barbed wire, watchtowers and remote controlled doors. But what made any escape attempt a perilous endeavor was the cold water and strong current in the bay around the island. The most famous attempt to escape from the prison was that by the Anglin Brothers and Frank Morris; a dramatized version of the escape was made into the 1979 movie 'Escape from Alcatraz'. Lighthouse While the three companions succeeded in getting off the island they probably drowned in the bay.

Exploring the Island Though Alcatraz Island is federally owned, visitors must book transportation through a private company in order to gain access to the island. Plans should be made well in advance, especially during the summer months, as Alcatraz tours fill up quickly. Most tours include the Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour, which is essentially a self-guided tour of the prison. Visitors can also explore the area outside the prison as well. The area is a good place to peruse native plants and birds but it can be difficult to navigate for anyone with a handicap. Alcatraz & Alcatraz Tours | San Francisco, CA BOOK AN ALCATRAZ TOUR General Visitor Info Alcatraz Cruises is the official ferry provider to Alcatraz and back. Departures start at 9:30 AM and are available every half an hour throughout the day. However, please note that these cruises frequently sell out, so as much as possible, plan and book your cruise in advance, especially in the summer and on holidays. To purchase tickets, view the schedule and/or for more information, visit the Alcatraz Cruises web site at . Touring the island will be at your own pace.

There is no formal tour but an audio tour is available for the cell house portion of your visit. This award winning audio tour is available in many languages including English, Spanish, Japanese, French, Italian, German, Dutch and Mandarin and can be purchased upon your arrival on the island or with your ferry ticket. Evening tours of Alcatraz are also available. Visit the Alcatraz Cruises web site for additional information. The weather on Alcatraz varies every day on the island, sometimes even on the same day. It can be warm,windy and wet any day of the year. The best way to prepare yourself is to dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes as well. How to Get There The following SF Municipal Railway (MUNI) bus lines stop within three blocks of THE Hornblower Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33: #8X Third Street bus #82X Presidio & Wharves Express bus F Line streetcar. The most direct route.

Use the Bay Street stop #10 Townsend bus (Weekdays only, ending at 7 p.m.) For additional information, routes and schedules, please visit the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency or call 415.673.6864. Did You Know?

Question: Which prison is situated in San Francisco Bay?
Answer: Alcatraz